At 2019’s SDCC Marvel Studios panelOpens in a new tab, Kevin Feige officially laid out the plans for the next series of films and Disney+ shows through November 2021. The first film on the schedule is the solo outing for Scarlett Johansson’s super spy, Black Widow. Black Widow was originally supposed to premiere on May 1, 2020, kicking off Marvel’s Phase 4 slate. The film will officially debut in theaters and on Disney+Opens in a new tab on July 9.
Who is in the cast?
As is the case with most MCU films, Black Widow has managed to assemble a pretty epic cast. David Harbour (Stranger Things) is playing Alexei Shostakov, also known as the Red Guardian. Florence Pugh (Midsommar, Little Women) is playing Yelena Belova, another famous Black Widow who shares a history with Natasha. O-T Fagbenle (The Handmaid’s Tale) is playing Mason. We have no clarity yet on which Marvel character that is, but he could be playing SHIELD agent Rick MasonOpens in a new tab. Rachel Weisz (The Favourite) is playing Melina VostokoffOpens in a new tab, who is also known as Iron Maiden in the comics.
What is it about?
It was confirmed at SDCCOpens in a new tab that Black Widow is set after 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, when Natasha is on the run from the government following the clash over the Sokovia Accords. That will lead her to reunite with her “first family” (Yelena, Alexei, and Melina.) And she’ll attempt to wipe out some of that lingering red from her ledger in the form of her haunted past.
The footage shown at the Marvel SDCC panel hinted that this movie will center on Yelena, Natasha, and their oftentimes contentious relationship. Additional footage shownOpens in a new tab at D23 and the official trailerOpens in a new tab that debuted in December more or less confirmed this, with specific hints at how Yelena and Natasha will be teaming up to take down the Red Room.
Marvel Studios
Taskmaster is shaping up to be Natasha’s ultimate foeOpens in a new tab. With a photographic memory that allows him to mimic anyone’s fighting skills by simply watching them, Natasha’s got her work cut out for her. She won’t exactly be able to best him with her Red Room trained skills. While we may not know exactly who is under the mercenary’s hood until the movie comes out, there are plenty of interesting options to theorize aboutOpens in a new tab.
Who is behind the scenes?
In 2018, Variety reportedOpens in a new tab that Black Widow would be directed by Australian director Cate Shortland, best known for the 2012 indie film Lore and the 2017 thriller Berlin Syndrome. Jac Schaeffer and Ned Benson helped developed the story. Thor: Ragnarok screenwriter Eric Pearson wrote the script. In a featurette released in January 2020, we caught the news that Alexandre Desplat (Little Women) would be scoring the film.
Can we talk about the fact that Alexandre Desplat, aka Academy Award nominee for #LittleWomenOpens in a new tab, is doing the music for #BlackWidowOpens in a new tab? Because *chef’s kiss* pic.twitter.com/3zFedoALJnOpens in a new tab
— Andrea Towers ⧗ (@_atowers) January 14, 2020Opens in a new tab
But a post-production change in AprilOpens in a new tab revealed that Lorne Balfe had taken over musical duties on the spy film. Balfe is best known for action film scores like Mission Impossible — Fallout and Pacific Rim: Uprising.
When is it coming out?
After several delays due to the ongoing pandemic, Black Widow will now simultaneously debut in theaters and on Disney+Opens in a new tab with Premier Access, which has a $30 rental fee, on July 9, 2021.
Featured Image: Marvel Studios
Originally published on July 20, 2019, with updates on July 31 and December 18, 2020.
